Join POC or PCA?

[smestas]

I've been contemplating joining one of these P-Clubs and participating in a few driving events a year. I'm in southern california and not to sure which is a better organization?

Any feedback would help.

[pwd72s]

Last I heard, no law against joining both...then making up your own mind, after attending events held by both. OR...stay a member of both, OR drop out of both. Guess that covers the options...

[Chuck Moreland]

Kinda depends on what you are looking for.

POC is a track driving club. No social events, concourse, or even autocross. It's relatively competitive and it holds more track events, about 2 per month.

PCA has a broader variety of activities and less of a track focus. They do have DEs and racing events.

Both have fairly low membership fees, no harm in trying them both out.

[Zeke]

I have looked into the same question. I'm a novice at this stage, so I will give you that perspective. The POC offers an almost monthly short track series at Streets of Willow, which is about an hour from your loction. It's a nice track, about a mile and a half with reasonalble speeds. The POC gets on to the big tracks a few times a year.

The PCA has an autox program locally. They get over to Irwindale a lot. Their races are more wide spread.

If you wat to stay in SoCal mostly, you will probably find out eventually about the Alfa Club, HSR West and the Touring Car Club (not their correct name).

[campbellcj]

I agree, join 'em both. Different focus and different groups of people. Unfortunately, other than the OCR and SDR region autocrosses -- which are highly oversubscribed -- PCA in SoCal really...ahem...sucks in terms of driving events and serious race instruction & seat time. There are maybe 2-3 actual PCA track events around here all year long, if you're lucky (basically one at Willow and one at Fontana).

I am also checking into HSR and NASA. VARA has pretty restrictive rules. TCRA basically is a "run whatcha brung" club and supposedly a lot of fun although I've never driven with them yet.

Lastly don't forget to check out Tracquest, the Alfa club, and the BMW and Audi clubs. Just about all of these local events are open to p-car "guests" as long as there is space available and you and your car meet their rules/criteria.

[ted]

Yes join both.

The San Diego region PCA is rather active. 3 AX events and a TT are scheduled from now till the end of the year.

Racers from as far away as Santa Barbara and Riverside frequently attend.

Here's the event schedule link.

http://www.pcasd.org/schedule/schedule.shtml

[tmctguer]

i'm a member of both.

PCA has monthly breakfasts and a few interesting tours of facilities like Andial and American Eagle Racing. mostly, it is a good way to get together and talk to other porsche fanatics, although this is generally a car looker's club (polish and gawk). nothing wrong with that. the driving events are primarily autocrosses or rallies. i tried 1 autocross event and was bored because i never got my car out of 2nd gear. it was sorta fun, but it just proved to me that i needed to find a racing club, too. the san diego region is rumored to be more track-oriented than the Orange county region, but i don't know this to be a fact.

POC is a driving club. they run regularly at Willow Springs, Streets of Willow, Button Willow, and occasionally race at Laguna Seca and Phoenix. there are distinct classes of racing that are strictly followed. beginners start off at time trials at the Streets of Willow and must be "certified" before moving onto time trials on the big track at Willow Springs. safety gear is pretty minimal while you're a beginner at Streets, but to move up in class, you must have a roll bar, safety harnesses and a fire extinguisher. after spending time doing time trials on the big track, you can move up into wheel-to-wheel racing. each step along the way requires you to be "trained" with instructors. this helps minimize accidents. some folks believe it is a little to strict, but POC doesn't waver on their racing progression. i must say that i've appreciated the things i've learned from participating in the POC beginner's driver program.

i've tried some tracquest events and found them very well run, but very pricey. i've heard that the Alpha club is pretty cheap and lets you run almost any car with a minimal amount of safety gear. perhaps an experienced Alpha club participant can comment here.

dues for POC and PCA re about $60 per year, so it is pretty cheap to join both and decide which one meets your needs. i enjoy both and plan to keep active in both groups. it gives me another way to enjoy my cars.

[andyu911]

I was member of both too, but dropped PCA after a year of membership. Nothing much happening in L.A. Chapter at the time and getting on the tracks and being around with a lot of Porsches are my only intention. Great people in POC. I learn a lot from them about driving a 911. A LOT of fun!
Enjoy!

Andy
'87 Carrera

[Zeke]

I just sent in my 2nd application in 3 weeks to POC. Never got a membership on the first one, except a lady called and replied to my request to join and sign up for the STS and school by saying, "Wait."

Until when?

New for this year? Dealer Day Driving School? You gotta buy a car to do this?

[DByers]

I have to say that I am a member of both, with POC most recent. The PCA SB chapter is a great meet and greet club. They have 2 monthly breakfast meetings and can get upwards of 80+ Porsches. They are also very family oriented in what they do during the year which appeals to me having 3 kids. Its always fun to take 1 or 2 to a function and let them get involved.
I am new to POC and basically joined for the drivers school and STS program. I hear it is well run and great instruction. Milt, talked to the "lady" this afternoon. Apps for the 1-29 drivers school will start being acccepted by the 20th of Dec. all the way up to the weekend before. They will post on the site.
Then there is the various runs put on by Pelicans and local Porsche shops. OTR at Willow once a month during the middle of the week. RGruppe has some runs during the year and the EarlySreg also gets together regularly. Seems as though we have plenty of options to get our Porsches out for some spirited driving here in SoCal.
Like other have said, attend some functions put on by both and then decide what works best for you and lay down your $.

[Grady Clay]

I would say the consensus of this thread is to join both. I have belonged to both RMR-PCA and POC at the same time.

If you want to enter the Porsche Parade in Hershey, PA (June 24 to July 3), you must be a PCA member. Reminder, the opening registration date is January 18, 2005.

Today we belong to RMR-PCA & AMR-PCA, RMVR (vintage racing), and SCCA (we are members of Colorado Region, Alpine Region, and Cal Club Region.) When Chris was racing karts, he was member of about seven kart organizations.

There is a similar issue with publications. Everyone should subscribe to Excellence. You can only get Panorama and access to Vista by being a PCA member, very worthwhile. Christophorus is the other “must have” Porsche house organ.
All the local newsletters keep you abreast of what is happening. You can belong to the PCA region of your choice and can belong to more than one. Many will send you their newsletter for postage. Many have on-line newsletters for free.

I encourage everyone to go to many of the differing events. I never have been an enthusiastic TSD Rally person, but I had great fun with Mike Robbins and John Clever at Parade rallies. You never know what cool people you will meet.

Best,
Grady